Both the 16s and 18s will be looking to bounce back against the Central Coast Roosters after going down in their Northern Pool opener against Newcastle Rebels.

The 18s weren’t far off the mark.

It was only really in the last 10 minutes that the Rebels pulled away, and local NRL development officer Luke Taylor believes they are in good stead for Saturday.

“I thought the game between them and Newcastle was a level about the other game,” he said.

“But you never know until you are out there.”

The Roosters are coming off a win over the East Coast Dolphins and showed they have a bit to offer in attack.

“Our 18s will have to defend well,” Taylor said.

“The Central Coast side had a bit of football in them.”

They put 44 points on the Dolphins.

Taylor is also the Tigers 16s coach.

He only had a week with them before the Rebels game after coach Gary Jones was appointed the Country U16s coach, and speaking after their 54-nil loss to the Rebels said they had “a lot of work to do” this week.

The big thing will be improving their attitude.

“If the 16s can toughen up in defence I think they can get themselves on the board,” he said.

The final pool round will be held in Tamworth next weekend with the Tigers taking on the Dolphins. Following that the top two 16s and 18s teams will progress through to the semi-finals.